Premiering Wednesday, February 13, 2008, from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. ET, the activity will focus on evaluating evidence-based psychosocial intervention and pharmacotherapy management strategies to improve outcomes for patients with alcohol dependence and recognizing the importance of neurobiology in addiction. As an added bonus, this broadcast will be followed by a special "After the Show" live segment during which the faculty will continue to take audience questions. This segment will then be offered as a standalone web archive exclusively at neuroscienceCME.com.

The recorded satellite broadcast will re-air from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. ET. This CE activity will also be available as an archived webcast, podcast, and telephone audioconference shortly after the broadcast premiere.

There is no fee to participate or receive CE credit for this activity; however, registration is required. Three forms of registration are accepted:
Online: Visit the activity details page at http://www.neuroscienceCME.com/PR271 and click the Register icon.
Phone: Call 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).
Fax: Visit the activity details page at http://www.neuroscienceCME.com/PR271, print and complete the activity details form, and fax to 240.243.1033.

Statement of Need:
Psychosocial interventions have been the mainstay of treatment for patients with alcohol dependence. However, there are some patients who are not able to remain abstinent with counseling alone and medication can be an additional, effective aid in the recovery process. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in its 2005 update, Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much, states: "All approved drugs have been shown to be effective adjuncts to the treatment of alcohol dependence. Thus, consider adding medication whenever you're treating someone with active alcohol dependence or someone who has stopped drinking in the past few months but is experiencing problems such as craving or slips. Patients who have previously failed to respond to psychosocial approaches alone are particularly strong candidates."

Overall, psychosocial interventions target the cortex, the center for decision-making; whereas, pharmacotherapy targets other brain areas such as the limbic region, associated with brain reward pathways. In a study by Anton and colleagues, patients who were given a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatment were less likely to relapse. Those who did relapse experienced a longer time between relapses. Thus, this study demonstrates the underlying impact that neurobiology can have on recovery.

In this evidence-based neuroscienceCME TV format, faculty will present patient cases as they explore the integration of pharmacotherapy into current psychosocial treatment models to improve outcomes for patients with alcohol dependence.

Moderator:
Robert R. Conley, MD
Distinguished Scholar, Eli Lilly and Company
Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacy Science
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Faculty:
Michael W. Carlton, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Recovery
Medical Director, Community Bridges
Phoenix St. Luke's Chemical Dependence Unit
Phoenix, AZ

Christopher W. Shea, MA, CRAT, CAC-AD
Clinical Director
Father Martin's Ashley
Havre de Grace, MD

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:
- Recognize the importance of neurobiology in addiction.
- Identify evidence-based interventions used to integrate pharmacotherapy and counseling.
- Evaluate available pharmacotherapies for patients with alcohol dependence.
- Review the clinical challenges of incorporating pharmacotherapy into treatment for patients with alcohol dependence.

Target Audience:
Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, certified case managers, pharmacists, addiction counselors, and other healthcare professionals interested in alcohol dependence.

Commercial Support:
CME Outfitters, LLC, gratefully acknowledges an independent educational grant from Cephalon, Inc., and Alkermes, Inc., in support of this CE activity.

Credit Information:
This activity offers CE credit for:
- Physicians (ACCME/AMA PRA Category 1)
- Nurses (CNE)
- Pharmacists (ACPE)
- Psychologists (APA)
- Social Workers (NASW)
- Certified Case Managers (CCMC)
- Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
Full CE credit information is available on the activity details page at http://www.neuroscienceCME.com/cmea.asp?ID=271

Post-tests, credit request forms, and activity evaluations can be completed online at www.neuroscienceCME.com (click on the Testing/Certification link under the Resources tab - requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately (70% pass rate required). Otherwise, participants should fully complete and return both the credit request form and activity evaluation located within the course guide for this activity. A certificate or statement of credit will be mailed within 4-6 weeks to all who successfully complete these requirements.

About CME Outfitters:
CME Outfitters develops and distributes live, recorded, print, and web-based educational activities to thousands of clinicians each year and offers expert accreditation services for non-accredited organizations.

About neuroscienceCME:
neuroscienceCME.com is the award-winning web portal serving clinicians, educators, and researchers in the neurosciences. Launched in October 2006, neuroscienceCME.com was custom designed to fill an identified gap in online resources for professionals around the world who are practicing in areas related to psychiatry, sleep disorders, addiction and substance abuse, ADHD, and other areas related to brain function. The site's primary mission is to be the professional's central forum for accessing, debating, synthesizing, and implementing the latest findings and best practices in the neurosciences.

About neuroscienceCME TV:
Offered as a simultaneous satellite broadcast, webcast, and telephone audioconference, neuroscienceCME TV is a one-hour, live and interactive continuing education (CE) activity where leading experts discuss clinically relevant, evidence-based issues facing mental health practitioners. Each broadcast's interactivity is enhanced by offering a Q&A segment during which the faculty presenters can respond to audience comments and questions posed via e-mail, fax, or phone. CME Outfitters has also developed a web-based instant polling feature that allows live webcast participants a chance to provide real-time input. Online CE credit is offered to participants upon completion of each activity, at neuroscienceCME.com.

Clinical Compass, a bi-weekly e-newsletter published by CME Outfitters, is a convenient way to stay informed of all neuroscienceCME news and information. To subscribe, visit http://www.neuroscienceCME.com and click on "Subscribe to Clinical Compass."